knowlton



@niet mes item1 @new ERNEST- J. KNOWLTGN, OF ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN.

Letters Patent No. 73,906,M dated January 28, 1868.

' IMPROVEMENT IN BATH-TUBS.

TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONOERN:

Be it known that I, ERNEST J. KNOWLTON, of Ann Arbor, in the county ofWashtenaw, and inthe State of Michigan, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Bath-Tubs; and do hereby declare that thefollowing is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, referencebeing had to theaccompanying drawings, and

to the letters of vreference marked thereon. y

In lthe annexeddrawings, making part of this specification, A representsthe frameof my ilexible or pliable bathing-tab, which is', in thisinstance, composed of six parts, which are hinged together in such amanner that the frame may be folded up, so as to be stowed away in smallcompass. Whenthis frame is unfolded, and is placed in shape for bathing,it assumes the form of the upper edge of an ordinary bathing-tub, onlyit is not intended to be made quite as wide. v

The body of this bathing-tub or apparatus is made of oiled silk, orIndia-rubber cloth, or any other pliant water-proof material which willobviously answer-` the purpose, and is made in the shape of' theordinary tub, and of any suitable capacity. The edges of the material ofwhich the body is made are secured to the inner edge of the frame A inany substantial manner, and then strips or cleats of metal orwoodrmay besecured over these edges. .At one 'end of th frame an lopening may beleft, between it and the body, and a Hap may be left upon the body, soas to conduct the water out of the tub without spilling it, when it isdesired to empty it. i To use this bathing-apparatus, onerside of theframe A is secured to the front side of a bedstead, by means of suitablestraps or cords, and an adjustable leg is usedA for supporting the otherside of the frame.' Water is poured into the exible body, and the personwishing to bathe enters the tub. The flexibility. of the body allows itto accommodate itself to the shape ofthe person, bringing the water inmore direct contact with the body oi' said person,

The chief advantages, however, of this tub are that it can be folded upwhen not in use, and moved out of the way, so that it occupies no spaceof any account; and, when in use, it requires a much less quantity ofwater than any other bath-fixtnre, and yet it may be so widely spread asto form a very useful appendage to vany shower-bath, in gathering thescattered particles of falling water.

The bath-tub above described can be advantageously used for chemicalbathing, as it will not require any large amount of the medicinalcompound to envelope the body of the invalid, and, being portable, bymeans of its hinged frame and flexible material, is easily folded andstored in the room of a house or hospital.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, anddesire' to secure by Letters Patent, is-V The portable frame A,constructed of a series of hinged sections, as specified, and providedwith a iiexible bath-apparatus, in the manner and operatingsubstantially as set forth. l

In testimony that I cla-im the foregoing, I have hereunto set my handand seal, this 27th day ofNov'ember, 1867.

ERNEST J. KNOWLTON. [1.. 5.]

Witnesses:

` ZINA P. KING, S. G. TAYLOR.

